Athens, the intellectual center of ancient Greece, was literally given to idols. Marble statues of persons and gods were found everywhere, especially at the entrance of the agora (public square), which was the hub of urban life. Paul was so distressed about such dominant idolatry that he changed his usual practice of going first to … Continue reading –>
When Paul and Silas were released from prison, the missionaries departed from Philippi (Acts 16:35-40). From Philippi, Paul and his companions went straight to Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia. Read Acts 17:1-9. How did the Thessalonian Jews react to Paul’s successful preaching among the Gentiles? Once again we see Paul looking for the synagogue where he … Continue reading –>
The memory verse tells our missionaries to “keep on speaking”: Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel” and Hymn 368, “Watchman, Blow the Gospel Trumpet”. The missionaries were to “Work, for the Night Is Coming” – Hymn 375, along with Hymn 582, “Working, O Christ, With Thee”. Paul chose to travel several places (on Sunday) with the Holy … Continue reading –>
Part 1 Back in Lystra “Keep on speaking. Do not be silent” How many times have you been admonished like that? Or are you more likely to receive–or hear others receive–messages to “stop talking so much” or “be quiet”? Are Paul and Barnabas angry with each other? Why couldn’t Paul agree with Barnabas to take his cousin Mark with him … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Knowing that God is with us can move us from fear or lack of confidence to courage in sharing the gospel. Paul gives us principles of sharing from his mission trips. September 1, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 17:11-14. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important … Continue reading –>
Once in Macedonia, Paul and his companions traveled to Philippi, where they established the first Christian congregation in Europe. Read Acts 16:11-24. Where did the missionaries go on Sabbath and why? What ultimately happened to them there? Whenever Paul arrived in a city, his practice was to visit the local synagogue on Sabbath in order to … Continue reading –>
Luke’s selective choice of events brings Paul almost straight to Derbe and Lystra. About Syria and Cilicia, the only thing he says is that Paul went through those regions confirming the churches (Acts 15:41). Read Acts 16:1-13. What does Paul’s action here teach us about how sensitive he was in seeking to reach others? Though Timothy’s father … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 16, Rom. 3:28, Gal. 2:16, Acts 17, 1 Cor. 1:23, Acts 18:1-10. Memory Text: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city”, (Acts 18:9-10, NIV). Back in Antioch, Paul and … Continue reading –>
Further Study: “The Jewish converts generally were not inclined to move as rapidly as the providence of God opened the way. From the result of the apostles’ labors among the Gentiles it was evident that the converts among the latter people would far exceed the Jewish converts in number. The Jews feared that if the restrictions … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 15:22-29. What additional measures were taken by the Jerusalem church concerning the council’s decision? The first measure was to write a letter to the Gentile believers in order to inform them of what had been decided. The letter, written in the name of the apostles and elders of Jerusalem, was an official document that … Continue reading –>
While I was away on a brief vacation this summer, a friend covering a family Bible study in my place called. Apparently the family was reading through Genesis on their own. After learning what circumcision is, the family’s young daughter asked my friend a question the family could not answer. “God wanted boys to be … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 15:28-29. What four prohibitions did the council decide to impose on Gentile converts? The main issue for which the council had been convened was satisfactorily resolved. Because salvation is by grace, believing Gentiles were exempted from circumcision when they joined the church. Yet, they should abstain from four things: (1) meat offered in sacrifice … Continue reading –>
